Royals set for first Cactus League game. Bruce Chen and Danny Duffy will pitch as the hitters will face Yu Darvish

Danny Duffy went 2-0 in five starts last season. The Royals won all five games he started. (Photo/MLB.com)

Baseball is back. OK, it’s only spring training, but it is the first game and there is reason for hope and optimism. Warm weather is on the way for us in Missouri and the Royals have a good baseball team. We’ll get our first look today at 2:05 when they face the Texas Rangers.

The Royals will roll out several pitchers in this first game with lefties Bruce Chen getting the start, followed by Danny Duffy. He’s coming off a rehabilitation year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Last August, he made five starts with a 1.85 ERA for the Royals, but was shut down at the end of the 2013 season due to some arm inflammation. Ned Yost also plans to use Donnie Joseph, Cory Wade, Guillermo Mota, Scott Alexander and Kelvin Herrera.

The projected regular everyday players who will face the Rangers Opening Day ace Yu Darvish are Alex Gordon in left field, Lorenzo Cain in center, Eric Hosmer at first base, Salvador Perez catching and Billy Butler at designated hitter. We’ll also get a look at right fielder Nori Aoki and second baseman Omar Infante who’ll be at the top of the lineup this season, batting 1-2.